“Swatting” is a term used to describe the act of making false or hoax calls to emergency services, reporting serious crimes in an effort to prompt a large-scale police response. These incidents are deliberate and malicious, designed to misuse emergency resources. 

Hamilton Police officers responded to seven reported incidents and conducted thorough investigations, ultimately determining that all calls were false. In each case, the caller alleged that serious criminal offences were taking place and requested an immediate police response. The false reports included allegations of domestic violence, shootings, and homicides, and were deliberately directed at residential addresses within the City of Hamilton. Swatting incidents place an enormous and unacceptable strain on emergency services. Each false report diverts police officers from legitimate emergencies, undermines the community’s access to timely police response, and creates unnecessary risks to both public and officer safety. 

As part of the investigation, detectives from the Hamilton Police Service Division 20 Criminal Investigations Branch executed a search warrant at a residence in Ottawa. Multiple electronic devices were seized and subsequently analyzed.

As a result of the investigation, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, a 14-year-old Ottawa youth was charged with Public Mischief.

The youth was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in February 2026. They cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Anyone with information that may assist police with this investigation is asked to contact Sergeant Goran Zivkovic of the Division 20 Criminal Investigations Branch at 905-546-2406.

To provide information anonymously, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

On Monday, July 17, 2023, shortly before 10:00p.m., the Hamilton Police non-emergency line received a call reporting that there was a shooting in progress in which a father had shot his wife and daughter, while the son was hiding in a room within the residence on Rendell Boulevard.

Police responded to the area and immediately established a perimeter, while Hamilton Paramedics set up a medical treatment location.

An investigation revealed the number used to call the emergency line was a computer-generated voice over internet protocol number. Police made contact with the residents of the home and found no evidence of any shooting and no victims.

On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, shortly before 12:30a.m., police received a phone call from Hamilton Health Sciences stating that they received a bomb threat. There was no detail regarding specific hospital provided by the suspect. Police attended the hospital and no explosive devices were located. Hamilton Police have since confirmed that call came from a Text Now number and the investigation is ongoing.  

On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at approximately 12:30a.m., the Hamilton Police non-emergency line received a call from a male stating that his mother and father were arguing and that he heard four gunshots then saw his mother laying on the living room floor, while father had fled the scene.

Police responded to the residence located on Purnell Drive and confirmed that this was another swatting call, with no evidence of any shooting and no victims.

Hamilton Police have not confirmed if these calls were related and are investigating them as separate incidents at this time.

Hamilton Police are investigating and take false or prank calls very seriously, as they put both community and officers life’s at risk. 

If you have any information that you believe could assist Police with the investigation into this crime, please contact Detective Constable Petros at 905-546-8965.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com